In recent years, oral health has gained significant momentum within the global health agenda, highlighted by the World Health Organization's (WHO) oral health strategy and action plan for 2023–2030. This recognition reflects a growing understanding that oral health is not a separate issue but integral to overall well-being. FDI’s Vision 2030: Delivering Optimal Oral Healthcare (Vision 2030) aligns with these developments, emphasizing the need for integration.

Poor oral health can lead to systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while systemic health issues can worsen oral conditions. This interconnectedness highlights the need for comprehensive care to improve patient outcomes.

Through its initiatives FDI continues to champion the integration of oral health within general health

FDI’s Vision 2030 and the WHO oral health strategy are guiding documents for policymakers worldwide to reduce the global burden of oral diseases through prevention, universal access, and integrating oral health into primary healthcare systems. Implementing integrated measures is critical to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), ensuring all individuals can access essential services without financial hardship.

Over the years, FDI has launched numerous initiatives to support its Vision 2030, such as projects like Whole Mouth Health, Whole Body Health, and Educational Modules for other healthcare professionals. More information is available on the FDI website at https://fdiworlddental.org/projects.

At the FDI World Dental Congress 2024, a range of sessions will focus on integrated care, interprofessional collaboration, and UHC. Eleven years earlier, at the Istanbul Declaration was adopted at the 2013 FDI World Dental Congress in Istanbul, calling for FDI and its members to integrate oral health within general health and improve interprofessional collaboration. The initiatives showcased at this year's Congress demonstrate FDI's commitment to improving oral health globally and fulfilling the objectives set out in the Istanbul Declaration over a decade ago.

Integrating oral health into general health is essential to supporting improved access, cost-effectiveness, and improved patient outcomes. As global health organizations advocate for this integration, it is important for policymakers and health professionals to collaborate to ensure better health for all.

If you are attending the FDI World Dental Congress in Istanbul, be sure to attend the following sessions:

• Thursday, 12th September, 16 :00-17:30 – Universal health coverage implementation: Cases from around the world 
• Saturday, 14th September, 9:00-11:00 – World Oral Health Forum 2024—partnerships and alliances to bridge the oral healthcare gap 
• Saturday, 14th September, 11:30-12:30 – Interprofessional collaboration: Reforming health systems through interprofessional collaboration

Discover the WDC24 programme